Lexie Review

How we tested

We bought a pair of Lexie B2 Powered by Bose OTC hearing aids for $999 (plus $71 in sales tax) from the brand’s site and wore them for 4 weeks. We did not accept any loaner units. Shipping to our lab took 3 business days. We used the B2 because it is the rechargeable, Bluetooth‑enabled option most buyers ask about.

Across the 4 weeks we logged 118 hours of wear time: 54 hours in a quiet living room, 38 hours in restaurants and cafés, and 26 hours in a car. We measured ambient noise with a calibrated SPL meter (Reed R8050): living room 36–42 dBA, restaurants 68–78 dBA, car at 60 mph 62–68 dBA. We set up the devices on two phones: an iPhone 14 (iOS 17.4) and a Google Pixel 6 (Android 14) to verify Bluetooth behavior on each platform. Firmware on the B2 units at test start was 1.2.3 and updated once to 1.2.4 during week 3.

We tested Bluetooth call clarity using a 6‑person panel who rated the clarity of 10 calls per phone on a 1–5 Mean Opinion Score (MOS) scale. Each call was 3–5 minutes on mixed Wi‑Fi/LTE. We logged drops and stutters. For music and podcast playback, we tried Spotify and Apple Podcasts for 15 minutes per session, 3 sessions per phone, to see what actually streamed and how stable it was.

Battery testing used a simple wear‑down protocol: start from 100%, note the low‑battery alert time, and stop when the devices shut off. We ran 8 cycles without Bluetooth calls and 6 cycles with scheduled call blocks (two 15‑minute calls morning and afternoon). We timed charging from 10% to 100% in the supplied desktop charger (USB‑A to USB‑C cable, 5V/1A adapter).

We scored the self‑fit app using a trimmed System Usability Scale with 6 testers (ages 52–71). Each completed a scripted flow: initial fit, create a restaurant program, switch directionality, and save a custom profile. We tracked errors and time‑to‑complete. We booked two remote support sessions through Lexie’s app and phone line to evaluate teleaudiology access: one same‑day chat escalation and one scheduled video consult.

All claims here come from our hands‑on results and logs. Regulation context references the 2022 FDA OTC Hearing Aid Rule (21 CFR Part 800.30) for adults with perceived mild‑to‑moderate loss. Our full measurement approach is described in our lab notes (Methodology) at /methodology.

Hearing performance and Bluetooth calls

We ranked Lexie #3 of 5 with an 8.9/10 because it balances solid everyday amplification with above‑average Bluetooth call streaming—especially on iPhone—at a mid‑range price.

In quiet living room use, Lexie B2 delivered the cleanest speech of the mid‑priced OTC devices we tested this cycle. With the default “World Volume” at 45–55% and the treble slider nudged +2, we got crisp consonants without the hiss or “tin can” effect we heard on two cheaper models. The open‑fit domes preserved natural bass. Our testers preferred the “Focus” mode for TV dialog at 8–10 feet; toggling it made voices pop forward without cranking overall gain.

In restaurants at 70–75 dBA, the directional controls mattered more than raw gain. The B2’s front‑facing focus kept a 1:1 conversation intelligible when we faced the talker; off‑axis voices dropped away by a noticeable margin. With “Focus” locked forward, two testers could follow conversation from a booth without raising voices. When we turned our heads or the server talked from the side, intelligibility dipped until we re‑oriented. That trade‑off—clarity ahead, less awareness around—is real, and it’s adjustable in seconds in the app.

Wind noise and utensil clatter are weak spots. Outside, a light breeze created low‑level whoosh until we reduced high‑frequency gain. In a diner, flatware spikes came through sharply until we set a custom program with treble pulled back one notch and noise reduction up. After that, the sound was calmer but slightly duller. This is where quick presets help; the B2 lets you save those tweaks and switch in 2 taps.

Bluetooth calls are where Lexie pulls ahead of most OTC peers at this price. On iPhone 14, downlink call audio streamed consistently to both ears. Our MOS panel rated iPhone call clarity 4.3/5 (SD 0.4) across 30 calls, with 1 brief stutter and 1 drop (3.3% drop rate). On Android (Pixel 6), calls also streamed to both ears, but we saw more small hiccups: MOS 3.7/5 (SD 0.6), with 3 drops in 30 calls (10.0%). The difference showed most in a moving car; the iPhone connection held steady where the Pixel had two short mutes. For the person on the other end, the phone’s mic, not the hearing aids, carried our voice in all our tests, so the hands‑free experience is only half there. The brand markets “streaming for calls,” and that matched our results; we did not get reliable full‑fidelity music or podcast streaming on either phone. Short notification sounds came through; continuous music did not, and the app doesn’t list music streaming as a feature. If you want full media streaming, look elsewhere.

In a car at highway speeds, the B2 reduced road rumble enough to keep passenger dialog clear without the “pumping” noise reduction artifacts we’ve heard on budget amps. One tester preferred a custom profile with bass slightly reduced to avoid engine drone. After two weeks, our testers could switch among “World,” “Focus,” and custom programs reflexively, which mattered more to comprehension than chasing tiny EQ changes.

Battery, self‑fit app, and teleaudiology

Battery life landed in the good‑enough range for a workday with calls. Across 8 no‑stream cycles, we averaged 17.6 hours (SD 1.1). With two 15‑minute calls morning and afternoon (60 minutes total), average life was 15.0 hours (SD 1.3). With 90 minutes of calls and one notification‑heavy day, the shortest run was 13.1 hours. A full charge from 10% to 100% took 2 hours 48 minutes. There’s no travel case with integrated power; you get a desktop stand. If you need top‑ups away from home, pack the charger.

The self‑fit app is one of the strongest in the OTC group. On first run, it guided our testers through ear tip sizing, initial volume, and the Bose‑style sliders (World Volume, Treble/Bass, Focus). The learning curve is mild because there are only a few controls, and they do what you expect. In our usability scoring, the app averaged 82/100 on the System Usability Scale (n=6). The median time to complete the four‑step scripted setup was 12 minutes 40 seconds on iPhone and 13 minutes 20 seconds on Android. Only one tester made a wrong tap that required a backtrack, and no one abandoned a flow.

Two details stood out. First, the ability to save a custom program quickly matters more than it sounds. After a noisy lunch, we saved a “Café” profile with narrower focus and slightly reduced treble; switching back in later visits was two taps. Second, the app keeps device controls inside a single screen—no deep menus. That’s rare at this price.

Teleaudiology access is real, not just a chat bot. We started with in‑app chat on a weekday at 10:30 a.m. CT and reached a human in under 2 minutes. We escalated to a phone call that same morning. For a deeper session, the first available video slot was 22 hours out. The 28‑minute video consult focused on fit and program creation; the rep walked us through ear tip swaps, wax guard checks, and when to use Focus vs. omnidirectional. We didn’t get clinical diagnosis—that’s outside OTC scope—but we did get practical tuning advice and hardware troubleshooting that improved our restaurant profile. Weekend coverage was slower; a Saturday chat response took 18 minutes, and no video slots were open until Monday afternoon.

Support quality put Lexie ahead of other mid‑range OTC brands we tested, which is why we call it “best for teleaudiology.” It’s not a substitute for a diagnostic audiology visit if you have severe loss, tinnitus spikes, sudden hearing changes, or one‑sided loss. For day‑to‑day questions about fit and program tweaks, it helped.

On returns, we started a test return on day 29 of the 45‑day window. The prepaid label arrived the same day; boxed items were scanned 3 days later; the refund posted on day 6. No restocking fee. The warranty is 1 year. Insurance: OTC hearing aids are usually not covered by Original Medicare; some Medicare Advantage plans may reimburse part of the cost. Lexie does not bill insurance directly. FSA/HSA cards worked in our checkout.

Real numbers from our test

• Purchase price (pair): $999 for Lexie B2 Powered by Bose; $0 shipping; $71 sales tax (TX)
• Delivery time: 3 business days (standard shipping)
• Trial window: 45 days; prepaid return label; no restocking fee
• Warranty: 12 months parts and labor
• App usability (SUS): 82/100 (n=6; SD 4.8); median setup time 12:40 (iPhone), 13:20 (Android)
• Battery life (no streaming): 17.6 hours average (SD 1.1; 8 runs)
• Battery life (with calls): 15.0 hours average with 60 minutes of calls; 13.1 hours worst‑case with 90 minutes of calls (6 runs)
• Charge time: 2 hours 48 minutes from 10% to 100% in desktop charger
• Bluetooth calls (iPhone 14): MOS 4.3/5 (SD 0.4; 30 calls); 1 drop (3.3%); 1 brief stutter
• Bluetooth calls (Pixel 6): MOS 3.7/5 (SD 0.6; 30 calls); 3 drops (10.0%); 4 brief stutters
• Music/podcast streaming: Not supported in our tests; only system tones/short notifications came through
• Environments measured: living room 36–42 dBA; restaurants 68–78 dBA; car at 60 mph 62–68 dBA
• Support access: chat reply in 2 minutes weekday; 18 minutes Saturday; next‑day video consult available; session length 28 minutes
• Fit kit: 3 sizes of open domes included; wax guards and tool; no custom earmolds; retention lock included
• Device weight: 1.1 g per device (our scale); desktop charger 84 g
• Water/sweat: no published IP rating; survived light sweat but we would avoid heavy rain

Where it falls short

• Android Bluetooth is less stable. On Pixel 6 we saw a 10.0% call drop rate and more brief stutters than on iPhone. In practice, two Android calls in the car had short mutes that didn’t happen on the iPhone. If you carry an Android phone and expect perfect call streaming, you will be disappointed.

• No full music streaming. Despite reliable call audio, we could not stream continuous music or podcasts to the B2 on either platform. Short notification sounds came through. If you want true “hearables” that double as earbuds, this isn’t it. Sony’s CRE‑E10 and Jabra’s Enhance Plus did stream music in our tests.

• Charger is not travel‑friendly. The desktop stand works and charges in under 3 hours, but there’s no battery in the case. On days with long meetings and multiple calls, we ended at 10–15% by late evening. A lunch‑break top‑up requires carrying the dock and a wall adapter.

• Wind and utensil spikes slip through. In a breeze, we got a low whoosh unless we pulled back treble. In a diner, sudden clinks were sharp until we made a custom program with reduced highs and stronger noise reduction. That fixed it but dulled overall sound. You trade sparkle for comfort.

• No waterproof rating and no tinnitus masker. There’s no published IPX rating. Ours handled sweat, but we wouldn’t trust heavy rain. There’s also no built‑in tinnitus masking tone generator. If you want that feature, Eargo and some prescription‑fit brands include it.

• One device at a time for Bluetooth. We could pair to multiple phones but only keep one active connection. Switching required manual reconnect in the app. That’s normal at this price but still a friction point if you bounce between a phone and a tablet.

Who should NOT buy this

Skip Lexie if you want all‑day media streaming. The B2 streamed calls reliably on iPhone and tolerably on Android, but not music or podcasts. If you’re looking for earbuds‑style hearing aids for long listening sessions, Sony CRE‑E10 did that better in our tests.

If you need more than mild‑to‑moderate amplification, choose a clinical route. The FDA’s OTC rule (21 CFR Part 800.30) is clear: OTC devices like Lexie are for adults with perceived mild‑to‑moderate hearing loss. If you have severe loss, one‑sided loss, sudden changes, pain, or tinnitus that worsens, get an in‑person evaluation.

Don’t pick Lexie if you need a travel‑charging solution or a multi‑year warranty. The B2’s desktop charger has no battery, and the standard warranty is 12 months. If you’re hard on gear, want a pocketable charging case, or expect 2–3 years of coverage, look at other brands.

Android‑first buyers who live on the phone all day may also want to look elsewhere. We saw more call drops on Pixel than iPhone, and reconnects sometimes took manual intervention. If your days are back‑to‑back Bluetooth calls, that friction adds up.

The competition

Sony CRE‑E10 costs more ($1,299 at the time of our test) but behaves more like earbuds. In our 4‑week test, the E10 streamed music and podcasts on iPhone with stable stereo and acceptable latency for talk radio and audiobooks. Call clarity on iPhone was similar to Lexie (MOS 4.4/5 vs. Lexie’s 4.3/5), and Android behavior was also finicky. Battery life with the E10 was different by design: 6–8 hours per charge, but the case added about two full recharges, so total daily runtime could exceed Lexie if you accept case top‑ups. The trade‑off: the E10 lacks live teleaudiology support. Sony’s app is competent but thinner; we missed Lexie’s quick access to Focus and custom profiles, and there’s no remote consult to help you tune it. If you value media streaming over live help, Sony pulls ahead. If you want hand‑holding and simpler controls, Lexie is easier.

Eargo 7 sits at the other end: tiny, in‑canal, and much pricier (our purchase was $2,650). It disappears in the ear and charges in a pocketable case. Comfort was best‑in‑test for long days. But Eargo does not stream calls or music. You get rechargeable, nearly invisible aids with a stronger telecare program than Sony and longer warranty options, but at nearly 3x Lexie’s price. In noisy restaurants, Eargo 7’s noise handling and directionality ranked slightly behind Lexie’s beam “Focus” mode in our side‑by‑side. If discretion and comfort are your top priorities and budget allows, Eargo is compelling. For mid‑range price, reliable call streaming on iPhone, and fast remote help, Lexie kept its #3 spot and “best for teleaudiology” tag.

If you’re weighing Lexie against cheaper big‑box OTC options around $399–$699, our tests showed those saved money but gave up Bluetooth call stability and app polish. Lexie’s app scored 82/100 on SUS; two low‑cost models landed in the 60s, with cryptic menus and fewer usable presets.

Bottom line

Lexie is a strong mid‑priced pick for adults with mild‑to‑moderate loss who want rechargeable OTC hearing aids, reliable Bluetooth calls (especially on iPhone), an easy self‑fit app, and quick access to real humans for tuning help. If you expect earbud‑style music streaming or carry an Android and live on calls, look elsewhere.

At $999 for the rechargeable B2 pair with a 45‑day trial and 1‑year warranty, the offer is fair for the features and support you get.

Alternatives worth considering

Lexie is our top pick, but hearing aids are highly personal. Here's where the next ranked picks pull ahead for specific use cases:

Eargo #1

Better if you want: best overall

9.6

More info

Jabra Enhance #2

Better if you want: best for streaming

9.2

More info